FLINT, Michigan -- While there's a 5K celebrating Sweetest Day 9 a.m. Saturday at the Flint Downtown YMCA, this weekend's big event is Sunday with scores of area runners headed to the Free Press Marathon, half marathon, marathon relay and 5K.

The marathon is in its 31st year, and it is truly a unique event in which runners cross into Windsor, Ontario over the Ambassador Bridge and back to Detroit through the Windsor Tunnel.

This year my wife will be running in the marathon relay, a popular event that consistently sells out, while I'm aiming for the 5K, which still can be entered. (Note, the half marathon is sold out, but runners also can still sign up for the marathon -- although they should only do so if they have been training for one).

Go, Jerry, Go: Longtime Grand Rapids-area runner Jerry Johncock, who has journeyed to our area for races, was featured in the Grand Rapids Press about the benefits that running brings to older people. Check it out: Click here.

My latest 20-miler: The following is what I submitted for my graduate creative writing class about my 20-mile run Saturday, which was my last before the marathon I'm running later this month. (Note, every 20-mile run is unique and not all turn out like this):

"Looking up, I peer beyond a smattering of tree branches and the wispy clouds to the comforting blue sky beyond. I'm lying on my back with my knees bent and feet still in full contact with the ground. I'm still out of breath some two hours and 22 minutes after starting to run.

I had just circled Kent Lake twice, backtracking part of the way a third time to achieve my goal. I had stopped only twice. The first time was planned in which I drank water and I ate a gooey energy gel. The second wasn't, brought on by an irritating pain in my left middle toe at about mile 11. A Band-Aid I used to protect the tip of its longer and skinny neighbor was instead causing this new raw bloody blister. My quick fix was to move the bandage from one toe to the other, temporarily alleviating the pain.

But the aching memory from these stops are far from my sweat-soaked body, which is no longer racing to maintain a steady pace over the rolling paved trail that winds not only along the lake, but through stands of trees and open grassy fields of Kensington Metro Park. I briefly shut my eyes and revel in the journey, which took my mind far from my responsibilities of career, school and family. It allowed me to singularly focus on one goal in a world overrun with multi-tasking. I was able to mesh my mind with the natural world in finding my own pace. Though now gone, my MP3 player enhanced my rhythm with music that ranged from Claire De Lune and Aaron Copland to U2 and Aerosmith.

Feeling just a hint closer to the ground beneath me, my breathing eases as I gaze skyward through the trees once again and imagine a reverse view from space. Here I visualize a tiny speck on a mitten peninsula that juts out in the middle of one of seven large landmasses.

I know everything is moving, including me, spinning through time and space yet I now feel completely stationary, and for a fleeting second first dizzy, then at peace. Bliss."

Ready for a run? A running group meets weekly at the Downtown Flint YMCA, 411 E. Third St., every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. There's a dedicated group of walkers too, who leave a little earlier. Most are members of the local running club, The Riverbend Striders. Many like to grab a meal afterward. So, if you're looking for some running company, this is a good place to start. Worried, no one might be there, give Bauman's a call at (810) 238-5981.

About The Weekly Jog: Started Feb. 28, this is an offshoot of "Mac's Blog on the Run" that's posted Thursdays at noon. Its focus is to detail news and notes about the Flint area running community.

Running background: One year of cross country at Livonia Churchill High School in the fall of 1991 (had a crush on a girl, found out I loved running instead). Got hurt in 1992 and quit running while adding "The Freshmen 15" every year in college at Michigan State University (Go Spartans!). Rediscovered running after joining the Flint YMCA and meeting area runners who helped me to achieve all that's below.

Running highlights: Losing about 90 pounds after not really running for about eight years/winning 13 road races in Michigan (all small field events)/completing 15 marathons (including one during an Ironman triathlon in 2004 -- yeah, it was tough, but it was worth it).

How I did in my last race(s): On Oct. 4 during the Pumpkinfest 5K in South Lyon, I ran a 17:27 (5:37 per mile) -- my fastest of the year. The next day, I ran the Brooksie Way Half Marathon in Rochester Hills. I ran negative-splits comparing first half with the second half for a 1:24:40 (6:28 per mile).